I think it rains - Wole Soyinka

I think it rains

That tongues may loosen from the parch

Uncleave roof-tops of

the mouth, hang

Heavy with knowledge

Chromaphagite - León Gil

Today I breakfasted on red

violet blue yellow and green

Volt - Tristan Tzara

The inclined towers the oblique skies

The cars descending into the void of roads

The creatures along the country lanes

Branches covered with hospitable virtues

Brothers, my peace is in my aloneness - Rabi’a of Basri

Brothers, my peace is in my aloneness.

My Beloved is alone with me there, always.

Bekita - Elis Juliana

Lady Bekita lifted up her skirt

And stalked into the ballroom

With a smile, with coquetry

With calculated steps

And complete body control

Bekita, Bekita,

Bekita, Bekita.

The Adieu - Abou Mohammed

The boatmen shout, "'Tis time to part,

No longer can we stay;"—

'Twas then Maimuna taught my heart 

How much a glance could say.

Mama you've done well - Erwin Jones

I was first, a thought in your precious mind,

Until I became a living cell.

In the darkness of your motherly womb,

It took me nine long months to be fully groomed.

And Mama, you've done well.

At a Refugee Camp - Julius Chingono

After bouts of kachasu

we sleep drunk

to wake up in running battles

with hangovers

that seek refuge

in our heads.

My Bosnia, Devastated - Safet Isović

My Bosnia, devastated

My country, unplowed

Four summers fallow

 

In the Circle of the Veranda, 14 - Ivar Ivask

How could I reach back that far,

how could I become one with the old

churchyard in Rongu, daydreaming here

in these Bitterroot woods, blue enamel mug

in hand? A mug brimful with raspberries